Bonding label

ABSTRACT

A web of bonding labels includes a face stock and a release liner. A top side adhesive layer extends on top of a top surface of the face stock and a top side release liner extends over the top side adhesive layer, wherein the top side release liner includes at least one aperture of exposing a corresponding portion of the underlying top side adhesive layer. The face stock has a second adhesive layer on a bottom surface of the face stock. The release liner has a second release layer on a top surface of the release liner arranged to protect the second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock and a third release layer on a bottom surface of the release liner. The face stock is separated into a succession of bonding labels carried on the release liner such that each bonding label includes a portion of the top side release liner having at least one aperture exposing a corresponding portion of the underlying top side adhesive layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/253,910 filed Jan. 22, 2019 entitled BondingLabel which contents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference andthe present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication 62/895,820 filed Sep. 4, 2019 entitled Bonding Label whichcontents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bonding labels and particularlybonding labels for bonding one object surface to another object surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional labels include a face stock with an adhesive backingtogether with a release liner for protecting the adhesive backing priorto affixing the face stock to an object surface. Bonding labels includenot only a backing adhesive for affixing the face stock to a firstobject surface but also include a top-side adhesive for bonding the facestock to a second object surface, which can be the surface of adifferent object. Together, the top-side and backing adhesives onopposites sides of the face stock provide for bonding the first andsecond object surfaces to each other.

Like the backing adhesive, the top-side adhesive requires protectionagainst exposure to environmental influences that could weaken theadhesive prior to its intended use such as by unintended contact withother surfaces. A second release liner could be used to protect thetop-side adhesive, but the addition of such a liner adds significantlyto cost, creates extra waste, and requires an additional step of linerremoval prior to bonding the top-side adhesive with a desired surface.Adhesive protection schemes are complicated by the need to protect thetop-side and backing adhesive layers during different stages of intendeduse including during manufacture and transport of the labels in bulk andduring separate stages at which the labels are affixed to the first andsecond object surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a bonding labelhaving top-side and backing adhesives on opposite sides of a face stockincludes a release liner for protecting the backing adhesive and twoseparate forms of protection for the top-side adhesive during differentstages of intended use. For example, a first form of protection for thetop-side adhesive can be provided during manufacture and transport ofthe bonding labels in bulk and a second form of protection for thetop-side adhesive can be provided after the face stock portion of thebonding label is removed (i.e., delaminated) from the release liner andaffixed to a first object surface and before the face stock portion ofthe bonding label is subsequently affixed to a second object surface.Such a bonding label is particularly useful for at least temporarilyaffixing one form of packaging material inside another form of packagingmaterial. For example, the bonding label can be arranged to bettersecure or limit the relative motion of an inner package within an outerpackage.

One such aspect of the disclosure envisions a web of bonding labelscomprising a face stock and a release liner. The face stock has a topsurface and a bottom surface with both a first adhesive layer and afirst release layer on the top surface of the face stock and a secondadhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock. The releaseliner has a top surface and a bottom surface with a second release layeron the top surface of the release liner arranged to protect the secondadhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock and a thirdrelease layer on the bottom surface of the release liner. The face stockis separated into a succession of bonding labels carried on the releaseliner such that each bonding label includes a first complementary areadefined on the top surface of the face stock by at least a portion ofthe first adhesive layer and a second complementary area that is atleast as large as the first complementary area defined on the topsurface of the face stock by at least a portion of the first releaselayer. The third release layer on the bottom surface of the releaseliner is arranged to protect the first adhesive layer within the firstcomplementary area of each bonding label when the succession of bondinglabels carried on the release liner is wound into a roll. The firstrelease layer within the second complementary area of each bonding labelis arranged to protect the first adhesive layer within the firstcomplementary area of each bonding label when the respective bondinglabels are removed from the release liner and folded together.

Each of the bonding labels is preferably arranged to be folded about adesignated fold line, and the second complementary area occupied by thefirst release layer encompasses one or more regions that are mirrorprojections of the first complementary area occupied by the firstadhesive layer across the designated fold line. The first complementaryarea occupied by the first adhesive layer can be composed of a pluralityof disconnected subareas, and the one or more regions of the secondcomplementary area occupied by the first release layer can encompassmirror projections of the disconnected subareas across the designatedfold line. Both the disconnected subareas occupied by the first adhesivelayer and the regions occupied by the first release layer can be locatedtogether on both sides of the designated fold line.

The second adhesive layer can be arranged for affixing the bondinglabels to respective first object surfaces with each so-affixed bondinglabel spanning an object fold line on one of the first object surfacesso that when the respective first object surfaces are folded togetherabout the object fold lines, the first release layer within the secondcomplementary area of each so-affixed bonding label covers the firstadhesive layer within the first complementary area of each so-affixedbonding label. The first adhesive layer can be arranged to be affixed tosecond object surfaces after the first object surfaces are unfoldedabout their respective object fold lines.

The first object surfaces can comprise respective internal surfaces ofan outer package to which the second adhesive layer is arranged to beaffixed, and the second object surfaces can comprise respective externalsurfaces of an inner package to which the first adhesive layer isarranged to be affixed. Upon application of the bonding labels to therespective internal surfaces of the outer package, the outer package canbe folded together for transport or storage in advance of a separateoperation for unfolding the outer package and affixing the inner packageto the bonding labels within the outer package. The first adhesive layerand the second adhesive layer can be composed of different adhesives foradhering to different packaging materials.

The first release layer can be printed on the top surface of the facestock in a succession of patterns such that each bonding label includesa pattern of the first release layer and a pattern of the first adhesivelayer. For example, the first adhesive layer can flood coated on the topsurface of the face stock, and the first release layer can be printedover portions of the first adhesive layer on the top surface of the facestock in the succession of patterns. Alternatively, the first adhesivelayer can also be printed on the top surface of the face stock in asuccession of patterns such that each bonding label includes a printedpattern of the first release layer and a printed pattern of the firstadhesive layer. The third release layer can be flood coated on thebottom surface of the release liner to avoid a pattern alignmentrequirement with the pattern of the first adhesive layer when thesuccession of bonding labels carried on the release liner is wound intoa roll. The bonding labels can be separated by die cuts against therelease liner.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an outer packagearranged for securing an inner package comprises a packaging materialhaving at least one object fold line. A bonding label includes a facestock having a top surface and a bottom surface with both a firstadhesive layer and a release layer on the top surface of the face stockand a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock. Thebonding label has a first complementary area defined on the top surfaceof the face stock by at least a portion of the first adhesive layer anda second complementary area that is at least as large as the firstcomplementary area defined on the top surface of the face stock by atleast a portion of the first release layer. The second adhesive layeraffixes the bonding label to the packaging material in a locationstraddling the object fold line of the packaging material, and thepackaging material is folded together about the object fold line suchthat release layer within the second complementary area of the bondinglabel covers the first adhesive layer within the first complementaryarea of the bonding label.

The packaging material can be arranged to be at least partly unfoldedand reshaped as an outer package within which the first adhesive layeris exposed for securing an inner package within the outer package. Thefirst adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer can be composed ofdifferent adhesives for adhering to different packaging materials. Thefirst complementary area occupied by the first adhesive layer can becomposed of a plurality of disconnected subareas. The bonding label canbe arranged to be folded about a designated fold line, and the secondcomplementary area occupied by the release layer can encompass regionsthat are mirror projections of the disconnected subareas across thedesignated fold line. Both the disconnected subareas occupied by thefirst adhesive layer and the regions occupied by the release layer canbe located together on both sides of the designated fold line. Fordifferent reasons, the second complementary area occupied by the releaselayer can include regions on both sides of the designated fold line.

Yet another aspect of disclosure includes a packaging system includingan outer package having an interior surface with an object fold line, aninner package within the outer package, and a bonding label including aface stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with both a firstadhesive layer and a release layer on the top surface of the face stockand a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock. Thebonding label has a first complementary area defined on the top surfaceof the face stock by at least a portion of the first adhesive layer anda second complementary area defined on the top surface of the face stockby at least a portion of the first release layer. The second adhesivelayer affixes the bonding label to the interior surface of the outerpackage in a location straddling the object fold line such that thesecond complementary area occupied by the release layer encompasses oneor more regions that are mirror projections of the first complementaryarea occupied by the first adhesive layer across the object fold line.The first adhesive layer within the first complementary area affixes thebonding label to the inner package so that the inner package is attachedto the outer package via the bonding label.

The first complementary area occupied by the first adhesive layer can becomposed of a plurality of disconnected subareas, and the one or moreregions of the second complementary area occupied by the release layercan encompass mirror projections of the disconnected subareas across theobject fold line.

A further configuration of the disclosure provides a web of bondinglabels, wherein the web includes a face stock having a top surface and abottom surface with a top side adhesive layer on the top surface and atop side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a secondadhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the topside release liner includes a plurality of apertures exposingcorresponding areas of the top side adhesive layer; and a release linerhaving a top surface and a bottom surface with a second release layer onthe top surface of the release liner arranged to protect the secondadhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock and a thirdrelease layer on the bottom surface of the release liner.

An outer package arranged for securing an inner package is alsodisclosed, wherein the outer package includes a packaging materialhaving at least one object fold line; a bonding label including a facestock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesivelayer on the top surface and a top side release liner on the top sideadhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of theface stock, wherein the top side release liner includes at least onaperture exposing a portion of the top side adhesive layer; the secondadhesive layer affixing the bonding label to the packaging material in alocation straddling an object fold line of the packaging material; andthe packaging material being folded together about the object fold linesuch that a portion of the top side release liner covers the exposedportion of the top side adhesive layer.

Further disclosed is a packaging system including an outer packagehaving an interior surface with an object fold line; an inner packagewithin the outer package; a bonding label including a face stock havinga top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer and atop side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a secondadhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the topside release liner includes at least one aperture exposing the top sideadhesive; the second adhesive layer affixing the bonding label to theinterior surface of the outer package in a location straddling theobject fold line; and the top side adhesive layer exposed through the atleast one aperture in the top side release liner and affixing thebonding label to the inner package so that the inner package is attachedto the outer package via the bonding label.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first example of a bonding label in whichan undivided complementary area of a top-side adhesive on a top surfaceof the bonding label is matched with a complementary area of a top-siderelease on the opposite side of a designated fold line.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the bonding label of FIG. 1showing a layered construction that is greatly expanded in a thicknessto more easily view the individual layers of the construction.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second example of a bonding label inwhich complementary areas of a top-side adhesive and a top-side releaseare formed in a different way.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the bonding label of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third example of a bonding label in whichcomplementary areas of the top-side adhesive and the top-side releaseare formed in as mirror symmetric subareas on opposite sides of adesignated fold line.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the bonding label of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fourth example of a bonding label inwhich complementary areas of the top-side adhesive and the top-siderelease are printed together on both sides of the designated fold line.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side view of the bonding label of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of a web of the bonding labelsbased on the bonding label of FIGS. 1 and 2 that is partially wound intoa roll.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an interior surface an outer package in aflattened state with a bonding label removed from the release lineralong the web and affixed to the interior surface straddling an objectfold line of the outer package.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view of a portion of the outer packageand the bonding label of FIG. 10 folded together about the object foldline.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer package of FIGS. 10 and 11shaped into a box for receiving an inner package (shown by hidden line)that is affixed to the outer package by the bonding label (also shown byhidden line).

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a fifth example of the bonding label.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a plurality of representative apertures in atop side release liner of the bonding label of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a portion of the apertures of the top siderelease liner of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the bonding label of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional side view of a portion of the outer packageand the bonding label of FIG. 16 folded together about the object foldline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A bonding label 10 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes two substratesin the form of a face stock 20 and a release liner 30. The face stock 20can be made of a paper, film, composite, hybrid, or other materialcapable of supporting unstructured layers such as coatings suitable forits intended use. The release liner 30 can be made of a similar set ofmaterials including calendered Kraft paper, biaxially orientedpolypropylene (BOPP), and polyester film capable of supporting releasecoatings suitable for its intended use.

A top surface 18 of the face stock 20 supports a first adhesive layer 12as a top-side adhesive and a first release layer 14 as a top-siderelease on opposite sides of a designated fold line 16 that bisects thebonding label 10. A bottom surface 22 of the face stock 20 supports asecond adhesive layer 24 as a backing adhesive. While for manyapplications, the top-side and backing adhesives are expected to bechosen as pressure-sensitive adhesives, the top-side and backingadhesives can take other forms such as heat seal, co-adhesive, and UVactivated adhesives and can differ from one another to provide desiredcharacteristics of a permanent, removable, repositionable or any otheradhesive technology that fits the end use requirements. The release istypically a cross linkable silicone but can take other forms such asother coatings or materials having low surface energy or otherwisematched to the adhesive it is intended to protect. For example, thetop-side release of the first release layer 14 is matched to thetop-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer to temporarily cover andprotect the top-side adhesive while the bonding label 10 is foldedtogether about the designated fold line 16 so that the top-side adhesivecan be later separated from the top-side release without damaging itsintended adhesive properties.

A top surface 28 of the release liner 30 supports a second release layer26 as an intermediate release in contact with the second adhesive layer24. A bottom surface 32 of the release liner 30 supports a third releaselayer 34 as a bottom-side release. While the intermediate release of thesecond release layer 26 is matched to the backing adhesive of the secondadhesive layer 24, the bottom-side release of the third release layer34, like the top-side release of the first layer 14, is matched to thetop-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12. The bottom-siderelease of the third release layer 34 covers and protects the top-sideadhesive of the first adhesive layer 12 while the bonding label 10 as asuccession of bonding labels along a web is wound into a roll fortransport of storage.

The top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12 occupies anundivided but limited complementary area 36 defined on the top surface18 of the face stock 20. The top-side release of the first release layer14 occupies an undivided but larger complementary area 36 defined on thetop surface 18 of the face stock 20. The complementary area 38 occupiedby the top-side release is positioned so that the complementary area 36occupied by the top-side adhesive is completely covered by the top-siderelease when the bonding label 10 or at least the face stock 20 and itssupported layers are folded together about the designated fold line 16.In other words, the complementary area 38 of the top-side releaseencompasses the mirror projection of the complementary area 36 of thetop-side adhesive across the designated fold line 16 as well as anyadditional remaining area to increase a tolerance for overlap or otherpurposes. While encompassing the mirror projection of the complementaryarea 36, the complementary area 38 of the top-side release can be largerthan or even a different shape from the mirror projection of thecomplementary area 36 of the top-side adhesive. Both the complementaryarea 36 of the top-side adhesive and the complementary area 38 of thetop-side release can be pattern printed on the top surface 18 of theface stock 20. The printing can be performed by a variety of processesincluding flexographic, screen, gravure, and digital printingtechniques, as well as hybrid arrangements of known printing processes.The other layers 24, 26, and 32 of release and adhesive can be moreeconomically flood coated over their respective supporting surfaces 22,28, and 32, but other printing techniques can be used as well. Exposedareas as well as areas underlying the top-side adhesive and the top-siderelease on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20 can also be printedwith conventional ink for such purposes as providing instructions,labeling information, or fiducial markers for positioning the bondinglabel 10 during use. For example, a marking designating the designatedfold line 16 can be printed on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20.Alternatively, such a marking can be formed by creases or scores in theface stock 20, particularly for face stocks that might otherwise resistfolding, or the designated fold line 16 can be made apparent from thepatterns of the top-side adhesive and release or from other features ofthe bonding label 10.

Bonding label 40 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to the bondinglabel 10 with like reference characters designating correspondingstructures. However, a first adhesive layer 42 is shown flood coatedover the top surface 18 of the face stock 20, and a first release layer44 is pattern printed over the first adhesive layer 42. A top-siderelease of the first release layer 44 is formulated or otherwisearranged with respect to a top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer42 to deaden any areas of the first adhesive layer 42 that areoverlapped by the first release layer 44 while retaining desired releaseproperties. In the illustrated pattern of the first release layer 42,the remaining complementary area 46 of still functional top-sideadhesive comprises a set of separated subareas 42 a through 42 f in theform of stripes. While each of the subareas 42 a through 42 f thatcollectively define a complementary area 46 occupied by the top-sideadhesive appear in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 as if recessedwithin windows through the first release layer 44, the complementaryarea 46 of the top-side adhesive effectively remains exposed at nearlythe same level as the remaining complementary area 48 of the top-siderelease at the actual thickness of the bonding label 40.

Although the subareas 42 a through 42 f of the top-side adhesive areshown in the form of stripes, the top-side adhesive of the firstadhesive layer 42 can be printed in any desired pattern such that thesubareas of the top-side adhesive can be varied in size, shape, number,and position as desired for a given application. For example, thesubareas can be fashioned as dots, outlines, polygons, swirls, or anyfreeform shape or combinations thereof and arranged in evenlydistributed, progressively varying, or irregular patterns to suit thedesired application. The complementary area 48 of the top-side releasecan be sized and shaped in either a divided or undivided format so thatwhen folded about the designated fold line 16, the complementary area 48of the top-side release covers the complementary area 46 of the top-sideadhesive. Alternatively, separate deadening and release layers could bepattern printed to provide the desired complementary areas 46 and 48 forthe functions of adhesion and release. Like the first adhesive layer 42,portions of the first release layer 44 that are not needed to protectthe complementary area 46 of the top-side adhesive can be overprintedfor one or more purposes and thereby excluded from the complementaryarea 48 of the top-side release.

Bonding label 50 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to the bondinglabels 10 and 40 except for the arrangement of the top-side adhesive andtop-side release. Both a first adhesive layer 52 and a first releaselayer 54 are pattern printed on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20.The first adhesive layer 52 is printed in four separate subareas 52 athrough 52 d in the form of lateral stripes, which together define acomplementary area 56 occupied by the top-side adhesive. The firstrelease layer is printed in six separate subareas 54 a through 54 f,also in the form of lateral stripes However, only the subareas 54 athrough 54 d contribute to a complementary area 58 that is intended tocover and protect the complementary area 56 of the top-side adhesivewhen folded together about the designated fold line 16. The subareas 54e and 54 f of the top-side release on the same side of the designatedfold line 16 as the subareas 52 a through 52 d of the top-side adhesivecan be arranged for other purposes. In the bonding label 50, thesubareas 54 a and 54 d of the top-side release are arranged as exactmirror projections of the subareas 52 a through 52 d of the top-sideadhesive across the designated fold line 16. However, each of thesubareas 54 a and 54 d of the top-side release are preferably largerthan the subareas 52 a through 52 d of the top-side adhesive or arecombined into an otherwise larger area to provide some tolerance forassuring that the complementary area 56 of the top-side adhesive iscovered by the complementary area 58 of the top-side release in thefolded condition.

Bonding label 60 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to the bondinglabels 10, 40, and 50 but again differs in the arrangement of thetop-side adhesive and top-side release. Both a first adhesive layer 62and a first release layer 64 are pattern printed on the top surface 18of the face stock 20. The first adhesive layer 52 is printed in threeseparate subareas 62 a through 62 c in the form of lateral stripes onthe left side of the designated fold line 16 and is printed in threeother separate subareas 62 d through 62 f in the form of lateral stripeson the right side of the designated fold line 16. The subareas 62 athrough 62 c define a complementary area 66 a occupied by the top-sideadhesive on the left side of the designated fold line 16 and thesubareas 62 d through 62 f define a complementary area 66 b occupied bythe top-side adhesive on the right side of the designated fold line 16.The first release layer 64 is printed in two separate undividedcomplementary areas 68 a and 68 b on opposite sides of the designatedfold line 16. The complementary area 68 a of the top-side release on theright side of the designated fold line 16 is arranged to encompass amirror projection of the complementary area 66 a of the top-sideadhesive on the left side of the designated fold line 16. Similarly, thecomplementary area 68 b of the top-side release on the left side of thedesignated fold line 16 is arranged to encompass a mirror projection ofthe complementary area 66 b of the top-side adhesive on the right sideof the designated fold line 16. Together, the complementary areas 68 aand 68 b of the top-side release cover and protect the complementaryareas 66 a and 66 b of the top-side adhesive when folded together aboutthe designated fold line 16.

As with any of the envisioned bonding labels, the top-side adhesive ofthe first adhesive layer 62 can be printed in any desired pattern suchthat the subareas of the top-side adhesive can be varied in size, shape,number, and position as desired for a given application. The top-siderelease of the first release layer 64 can also take a variety of dividedor undivided forms encompassing mirror projections of the complementaryareas of the top-side adhesive on opposite sides of the designated foldline 16. Similarly, the shape and size of the bonding label 60 as wellas any of the other bonding labels 10, 40, or 50 as described herein canvary to fit its intended application. However, for purposes ofprotecting the bonding labels in a folded condition, the shape of thebonding labels is arranged to support a complementary area of releasethat encompasses a mirror projection of a complementary area of adhesiveacross a designated fold line. In addition, although the bonding labels10, 40, 50, and 60 are depicted as individual bonding labels inisolation, the various bonding labels are preferably formed as asuccession of bonding labels along a web in which the release liner 30extends in an uninterrupted form along the length of the web.

For example, FIG. 9 depicts a web 70 comprising a succession of thebonding labels 10 wound into a roll 72 for transport or storage. Diecuts (i.e., top scores) 74 through the face stock 20 separate thebonding labels 10 along the web 70 leaving the release liner 30 intactas a transport, handling, and protection mechanism for the bondinglabels 10. Additional die cutting together with matrix removal can beused to further separate or otherwise ready the bonding labels forautomated dispensing or for other purposes. Within the roll 72, thethird release layer 34 on the bottom surface 32 of the release liner 30covers and protects the complementary area 36 of the top-side adhesivewithin the adhesive layer 12 on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20.The uninterrupted form of the third release layer 34 provides forcovering and protecting the complementary areas 36 of the adhesive layer12 independently of any registration between the overlapping bondinglabels 10 to avoid any occurrence of “blocking” or seizing togetherwithin the roll 72 during storage or transport of the web 70. The thirdrelease layer 34 also allows the web 70 to be unrolled so that the facestock portion of the bonding labels 10 (also often referred to as labelsin and of themselves) can be removed from the web 70, i.e., separatedfrom the release liner 30, and affixed to a desired object surface.While the web 70 is depicted with an inside wind, an outside wind couldbe used to similar effect. Although the web 70 is formed by a successionof the bonding labels 10, the web 70 can comprise a succession of any ofthe bonding labels 40, 50, or 60 as depicted and as described.

The web 70 can be made on a single press or on multiple presses in asuccession of stages. For example, separate rolls of the face stock 20and the release liner 30 can be fed into a press along which the variouslayers 12, and 24 of adhesive and the various layers 14, 26, and 34 ofrelease can be applied to the face stock 20 and the release liner 30 ina series of coating or printing operations while also laminating thecoated face stock to the coated release liner before winding the webinto a roll. Alternatively, a web of conventional label stock comprisingthe face stock 20 with an adhesive backing layer 24 laminated to therelease liner 30 via the intermediate release layer 26 can be fed into apress for applying the adhesive and release layers 12 and 14 to the topsurface 18 of the face stock 20 and applying the release layer 34 to thebottom surface 32 of the release liner 30 before rewinding the web intoa roll for transport or storage. The first adhesive layers 12, 52, and62 of the bonding labels 10, 50, and 60 are preferably pattern printedwhile the first adhesive layer 42 of the bonding label 40 is preferablyflood coated. Pattern printing is also preferably used for applying thefirst release layers 14, 44, 54, and 64.

FIG. 10 depicts a flattened outer package 80 arranged as a type ofpackaging material that is intended to be folded into athree-dimensional form such as a box, carton, or other container. Theouter package includes a plurality of object fold lines 82, which can beformed as creases or scores in an internal surface 84 of the outerpackage 80 or can merely correspond to internal die lines of a templatefrom which the packaging material is shaped into the outer package 80.For purposes of storage or transport, the outer package 80 is intendedto be folded together about a particular object fold line 82 a. The facestock portion of the bonding label 10, which has been removed from theweb 70 is affixed to the internal surface 84 in a position that alignsthe designated fold line 16 of the bonding label with the object foldline 82 a of the outer package 80. The face stock portions of any of thebonding labels 40, 50, or 60 as described herein can be similarlyaffixed. This affixing process can be automated by an applicator withinwhich the web 70 can be unrolled and the individual bonding labels 10(devoid of the release liner) can be stripped from the web 70 andapplied to a succession of flattened outer packages 80. The applicatorcan be incorporated into a process or machine in which the outer package80 is itself formed by die cuts through a packaging material.

The face stock portion of the bonding labels 10, which are separatedfrom one another by the die cuts 74, can be stripped from the web 70 byseparating the second adhesive layer 24 carried on the back surface 22of the face stock from the second release layer 26 carried on therelease liner 30. The second adhesive layer 24 affixes the bonding label10 (devoid of its release liner) to the internal surface 84 of the outerpackage. The backing adhesive of the second adhesive layer 24 can bematched to the surface and material characteristics of the packagingmaterial to which it is intended to be affixed. Since, the secondadhesive layer spans both sides of the designated fold line 16, the facestock portion of the bonding label 10 is adhered to the interior surface84 of the outer package on both sides of the object fold line 82 a. Theremaining release liner 30 can be rerolled for recycling.

In the view of FIG. 10, both the complementary area 36 occupied by thetop-side adhesive and the complementary area 38 occupied by the top-siderelease are exposed on the internal surface 84 of the outer package 80.While the exposed area of the top-side adhesive is intended for securingan inner package or other article within the outer package 80, theprocess for assembling the outer package 80 and affixing the innerpackage or other article within the outer package 80 typically takesplace at a different location or subsequent time during which theexposed adhesive requires protection against environmental interactionsor unintended contact with other surfaces. The outer package 80 isarranged to be folded together about the object fold line 82 a, and theface stock portion of the bonding label 10, whose designated fold line16 is aligned with the object fold line 82 a, is folded together withthe outer package 80. In this way, the outer package 80 can be storedand transported for later use while protecting the top-side adhesivewithin the complementary area 36.

FIG. 11 shows a portion of the outer package 80 and the face stockportion of the bonding label 10 folded together about their respectivefold lines 82 a and 16. Once again, the thicknesses of the layers havebeen greatly enlarged for purposes of more clearly showing the layers.In this folded condition, the complementary area 36 of the top-sideadhesive is completely covered by the complementary are 38 of thetop-side release to protect the top-side adhesive until the outerpackage 80 is assembled and otherwise readied to receive its intendedcontents. Similarly, the complementary areas 46, 56, and 66 a and 66 bof top-side adhesive in the bonding labels 40, 50, and 60 are matched bythe complementary areas 48, 58, and 68 a and 68 b of the top-siderelease that encompasses mirror projections of the complementary areas46, 56, and 66 a and 66 b across the designated fold line 16 of thesebonding labels. Thus, when the face stock portions of any of thesebonding labels 10, 40, 50, or 60 are folded together with the outerpackage 80, the complementary areas 36, 46, 56, and 66 a and 66 b oftop-side adhesive are covered by the matching complementary areas 38,48, 58, and 68 a and 68 b of the top-side release. The top-side adhesivewithin the complementary areas 36, 46, 56, and 66 a and 66 b remainsprotected until the outer package 80 is unfolded and reshaped into itsdesired form, wherein the same complementary areas 36, 46, 56, and 66 aand 66 b of the top-side adhesive are exposed for intended use forbonding to an inner package.

In FIG. 12, the outer package 80 in an assembled state is shown as a boxwith an inner package 90 shown as a deformable bag within the outerpackage 80. The face stock portion of the bonding label 10, which isaffixed to the interior surface 84 of the outer package via the secondadhesive layer 22, is also affixed to an outer surface of the innerpackage 90 via the first adhesive layer 12. That is, the complementaryarea 36 of the top-side adhesive bonds the bonding label 10 to the innerpackage 90 for attaching the inner package 90 to the outer package 80.The top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12 can be matched tothe surface and material characteristics of the packaging material withwhich the inner package 90 is made and can differ from the adhesive usedto affix the face stock portion of the bonding label to the outerpackage 80. The continuous or discontinuous patterns of thecomplementary areas 36, 46, 56, and 66 a and 66 b of top-side adhesivein any of the bonding labels 10, 40, 50, and 60 can also be selected toform an appropriate bond with the inner package 90 as the inner package90 is placed or filled within the outer package 80.

The inner and outer packages that can be bound together by theenvisioned bonding labels can take a variety of forms and can be madefrom a variety of materials. For example, either one of the outer orinner packages can have a fixed or more amorphous shape. For example,the outer package can take the form of a box, carton, tray, or tube andthe inner package can take the form of a bag, bottle, packet, canister,tube, or other container for holding dry or wet materials or cancomprise a product itself. The bonding labels can be used to secure theinner packages within outer packages and to limit at least some relativemotion that might otherwise damage the inner packages or their contents.The bonding labels can also be used to provide tamper evidence orotherwise discourage the removal of a product from its outer packaging.

A fifth example of the bonding label is shown in FIGS. 13-17. In thisexample, the top side adhesive 36, 46, 56, 66 and the top side releaseareas 38, 48, 58, 68 of the prior examples are replaced by a top sideadhesive layer 110 and an overlying top side release liner 130 on thetop side adhesive layer.

In this example, the top side adhesive layer 110 can be printed (orcoated, such as flood coated) over the entire top surface of the facestock 20. The top side adhesive layer 110 can be directly bonded to theface stock 20 or can be separated by an intermediate layer (not shown).Thus, the top side adhesive layer 110 being on or bonded to the topsurface 18 of the face stock 20 encompasses direct bonding as well asindirect bonding.

The top side release liner 130 is then disposed over the top sideadhesive layer 110. The top side release liner 130 includes a pluralityof apertures, windows or recesses which can extend from at least onelateral edge of the top side release liner 130 that expose theunderlying top side adhesive layer 110, collectively referred toapertures 133.

As seen in FIG. 13, the top of the bonding label 100 is primarilydefined by the top side release liner 130, with the exception of theapertures 133 in the top side release liner which expose correspondingareas of the underlying top side adhesive layer 110. Representativeapertures 133 are seen in FIG. 14. However, it is understood theapertures 133 can be in any type of pattern and/or shape, wherein theexposed area of the top side adhesive layer 110 is functionally balancedagainst the necessary adhesive between the exposed areas of the top sideadhesive layer and the inner package (or container) 90 against theresistance to insertion of the inner package (or container) into theouter package (or container) 80. Thus, the apertures 133 can be slots, arange of areas, shapes or merely recesses from the lateral edge or edgesof the top side release liner 130. A plurality of the apertures can havedifferent sizes within a given bonding label 100. The term aperture isintended to encompass each of these configurations. It is understood theapertures 133 can be formed by any of a variety of mechanisms known inthe art, including but not limited to die cut, stamping, laser orblades.

As seen in FIG. 15, the remaining portion of the top side release liner130 defines the exposed surface of the bonding label 100.

Referring to FIG. 16, the complimentary areas of the top side adhesiveand release areas in the first four examples are replaced with (i) alayer of top side adhesive layer 110 which can be continuous over thearea of the bonding label 100 and (ii) the apertured top side releaseliner 130, which defines the exposed areas of the top side adhesivelayer 110 by virtue of the apertures 133.

The top side release liner 130 has a bottom surface 132 that bonds tothe top side adhesive layer 110 to preclude unintended separation. A topsurface 134 of the top side release liner 130 is, or is coated with, arelease agent, such as silicone release, that does not materially bondto the top side adhesive layer 110. Thus, when the bonding label 100 isbonded to the outer package 80 and folded with the outer package alongthe common fold line 16, the top surface 134 of the top side releaseliner 130 contacts the exposed portions of the top side adhesive layer110 through the apertures 133 to protect the exposed adhesive, but doesnot bond to the top side adhesive layer. Thus, the outer package 80 andbonded bonding label 100 can be shipped in an assembled but flattenedconfiguration. Then upon erecting the outer package 80, the top surface134 of the top side release liner 130 separates from the top sideadhesive layer 110 and the portions of the top side adhesive layerexposed through the apertures 133 in the top side release liner areexposed for bonding to the inner package 90.

The top side release liner 130 can be a PET release liner, having asilicone or silicone treated top surface 134 that does not materiallybond to the top side adhesive layer 110 and a raw or treated bottomsurface 132 that bonds to the top side adhesive layer. It is understoodthe top side release liner 130 can include PET or polyester, film oreven coated paper based liners. The top side release liner 130 thusincludes a bonding surface 136 for bonding to the top side adhesivelayer 110 and a release surface 138 for releasing from the top sideadhesive layer.

While the apertures 133 are shown on a common side of the fold line 16,it is understood there can be apertures in the top side release liner130 on both sides of the fold line so long as the mirror portion of thetop side release liner is not apertured (thereby precluding areas of thetop side adhesive layer 110 from contacting upon folding about the foldline 16.) Thus, the pattern of apertures 133 in the top side releaseliner 130 is limited only by precluding the apertures on opposing sidesof the fold line 16 from aligning upon the bonding label 100 beingfolded about the fold line 16.

The apertures 133 in the top side release liner 130 can be at leastpartly dictated by the intended material of the inner package 90 and theanticipated insertion parameters of the inner package relative to theouter package 80.

The top side release liner 130 can be on the order of 1 mil thick, sothe underlying exposed portion of the top side adhesive layer 110 is incontact with the inner package 90 even though the adhesive is slightlyrecessed (by the approximately 1 mil thickness of the top side releaseliner) from the surface of the top side release liner. In thoseinstances where the inner bag 90 is full and is forced into theassembled outer package 80 (carton or container), the very tight fit ofthe bag can generate a jamming of the process. The apertured top siderelease liner 130 overlying the top side adhesive layer 110 reduces thedrag on the inner bag when the inner bag is loaded.

Thus, the top side release liner 130 configuration can be used inproviding the bonding label 100 for operably retaining a bag in boxconstruction, wherein the bonding label includes the top side releaseliner 130, such as a thin PET, over the top of the top side adhesivelayer 110, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the apertures 133,such as die cut holes, in the top side release liner expose portions ofthe underlying top side adhesive layer in the specific spots needed forproper adherence to the inner retained flexible bag. It is understoodthe respective adhesives can be selected to preclude unintendedseparation or even preclude non-destructive separation, wherein thestrength of the respective adhesive is at least partly based on theintended operating environment.

FIG. 17 shows a portion of the outer package 80 and the face stockportion of the bonding label 10 folded together about their respectivefold lines 82 and 16. Once again, the thicknesses of the layers havebeen greatly enlarged for purposes of more clearly showing the layers.In this folded condition, the apertures 133 in the top side releaseliner 130 that expose corresponding portions of the underlying top sideadhesive layer 110 are covered by the folded over area of the top siderelease liner so that the top side adhesive layer remains protected. Thefolded over portion of the top side release liner 130 continues toprotect the aperture exposed areas of the top side adhesive layer 110until the outer package 80 is assembled and otherwise readied to receiveits intended contents. Thus, when the face stock portions of the bondinglabel 100 are folded together with the outer package 80, the top sideadhesive layer 110 otherwise exposed through the apertures 133 in thetop side release liner 130 are covered by the folded over portion of thetop side release liner. The top side adhesive layer 110 remainsprotected until the outer package 80 is unfolded and reshaped into itsdesired form, wherein the overlying folded portion of the top siderelease liner 130 exposes the apertures 133 in the adjacent portion ofthe bonding label 100 and hence exposes the corresponding portions ofthe top side adhesive layer 110, wherein the now exposed portions of thetop side adhesive layer are exposed for intended use for bonding to theinner package 90.

This construction assists in an automatic loading of a full inner bag 90into an erected outer box 80 as the resistance that the bonding label100 exerts on the inner bag is controlled by covering the entire surfaceof the top side adhesive layer 110 with the apertured top side releaseliner 130, such as a 1 mil PET release liner (other thin release linerswould also work) with the release surface up (exposed to the inner bag).

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the bonding labelsdescribed herein, particularly such bonding labels having top-sideadhesive is protected by different layers of release in different statesof use, can be used in various ways for bonding one object surface toanother. Although described with respect to a limited number ofexamples, additional changes, modifications, and uses will be apparentwithin the overall teaching as understood by those of skill in the art.

1. A web of bonding labels comprising: a face stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer on the top surface and a top side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the top side release liner includes a plurality of apertures exposing corresponding areas of the top side adhesive layer; and a release liner having a top surface and a bottom surface with a second release layer on the top surface of the release liner arranged to protect the second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock and a third release layer on the bottom surface of the release liner.
 2. The web of claim 1, wherein the face stock is separated into a succession of bonding labels carried on the release liner such that each bonding label includes at least one aperture in the top side release liner
 3. The web of claim 1, wherein each of the bonding labels is arranged to be folded about a designated fold line.
 4. The web of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures includes apertures having a common size.
 5. The web of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures includes a plurality of apertures of different areas.
 6. The web of claim 1, wherein the apertures in the top side release liner are disposed relative to a designated fold line that the apertures do not align upon the bonding label folded about the designated fold line.
 7. The web of claim 1, wherein the apertures in the top side release liner are arranged to expose a portion of the top side adhesive layer upon the bonding label being unfolded a designated fold line.
 8. The web of claim 1, wherein upon application of the bonding label to a respective internal surface of an outer package, the outer package can be folded for transport or storage in advance of a separate operation for unfolding the outer package and affixing an inner package to the bonding label within the outer package.
 9. The web of claim 1, wherein the top side adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are composed of different adhesives for adhering to different packaging materials.
 10. The web of claim 1, wherein the top side release liner is a separately formed component from the face stock.
 11. The web of claim 1, wherein the top side adhesive layer is flood coated on the top surface of the face stock, and the top side release liner is adhered to the top side adhesive layer.
 12. The web of claim 1, wherein the bonding labels are separated by die cuts against the release liner.
 13. An outer package arranged for securing an inner package comprising: a packaging material having at least one object fold line; a bonding label including a face stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer on the top surface and a top side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the top side release liner includes at least on aperture exposing a portion of the top side adhesive layer; the second adhesive layer affixing the bonding label to the packaging material in a location straddling an object fold line of the packaging material; and the packaging material being folded together about the object fold line such that a portion of the top side release liner covers the exposed portion of the top side adhesive layer.
 14. The outer package of claim 13, wherein the packaging material is arranged to be at least partly unfolded and reshaped as an outer package within which the top side adhesive layer is exposed for securing an inner package within the outer package.
 15. The outer package of claim 13, wherein the top side adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are composed of different adhesives for adhering to different packaging materials.
 16. The outer package of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of apertures in the top side release liner.
 17. The outer package of claim 13, wherein the bonding label is arranged to be folded about a designated fold line, wherein the apertures in the top side release liner are covered by remaining portions of the top side release liner upon being folded about the designated fold line.
 18. The outer package of claim 13, wherein the bonding label is arranged to be folded about a designated fold line, and the apertures in the top side release liner are disposed about opposing sides of the designated fold line such that the top side adhesive layer is precluded from contacted another portion of the top side adhesive layer through the apertures.
 19. A packaging system comprising: an outer package having an interior surface with an object fold line; an inner package within the outer package; a bonding label including a face stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer and a top side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the top side release liner includes at least one aperture exposing the top side adhesive; the second adhesive layer affixing the bonding label to the interior surface of the outer package in a location straddling the object fold line; and the top side adhesive layer exposed through the at least one aperture in the top side release liner and affixing the bonding label to the inner package so that the inner package is attached to the outer package via the bonding label. 